Roell addresses DNR wolf forum

Various stakeholders gathered in St. Ignace Wednesday for a six hour Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wolf Forum to share their thoughts, opinions and concerns regarding future management.

Wolf Program Coordinator Brian Roell of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said the latest population estimates, derived from the 2011 survey, revealed there were approximately 700 wolves scattered across the Upper Peninsula.

“It could be more, it could be less,” he predicted as the department prepares for the 2013 winter survey. The general trend has shown an average annual increase of 7 percent a year since the department began conducting surveys.

Roell said the DNR conducts the wolf survey every other year, consistent with similar surveys done to monitor the elk and bear populations. Whitetail deer, he explained, are surveyed annually — prompting a question regarding the frequency from one of the panelists.

“600,000 deer hunters at $15 a pop,” explained another panelist of the revenue stream that helps to fund the annual deer survey.

Roell said there was a correlation between wolf abundance and livestock depredation, but noted that it certainly did not involve all the wolves throughout the area.

Roell said the best estimates show that approximately a dozen packs, roughly 9 percent, are known to have caused depredation.

Under the current system, wolves can be killed if they are in the act of causing depredation and a permit system has been established to target specific trouble spots. To date, 58 wolves have been killed for livestock predation while another 27 have been taken for posing a risk to human safety. Roell said the latter number also includes incidents where the wolves appear to be sick as well.

Panelists and audience members also heard an update from Adam Bump of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources regarding pending legislation which may pave the way for a wolf hunt in Michigan. To date, various versions of a wolf hunt bill have cleared hurdles in the Michigan House and Senate. However, until identical versions are passed by the legislative units and the governor signs the bill, Michigan residents not be allowed to hunt the animals.